Dynamic No 8's ankle injury is not expected to require surgery and he should
return to action in April

Billy Vunipola is expected to be available for England's three-Test tour of New Zealand because he is unlikely to require surgery on the ankle injury that has ruled him out of the rest of the RBS Six Nations Championship.

It is understood that the Saracens No8 underwent further assessment on the injury on Tuesday, and the England medical team now hope that surgery will not be required as part of his rehabilitation programme.

Vunipola is not expected to be available for Saracens’ Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster at Ravenhill on April 5 but could return later that month.

A scan on Monday revealed Vunipola had sustained “some ligament damage”, which he sustained when he fell awkwardly during the first half of England’s 13-10 victory over Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

News that Vunipola should be fit to face the All Blacks in June will come as a significant boost to Stuart Lancaster, the England head coach, given the stunning impact the 21-year-old has made with the national side this season. Lancaster is expected to provide details of Vunipola’s rehabilitation on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Joe Schmidt, the Ireland head coach, is considering resting fly-half Jonathan Sexton and flanker Peter O’Mahony for the Six Nations match against Italy in Dublin a week on Saturday.

Sexton sustained a thumb injury in the defeat by England but has returned to Paris and may play for Racing Métro against Castres this weekend.

O’Mahony is also recovering from a hamstring injury and while both are expected to be fit to face Italy, Schmidt may rest them ahead of what could be a championship decider against France in the final round of matches.

“There may be guys like Jonny or Peter O’Mahony who may be starting to get some wear and tear about them,” Schmidt said. “And that may guide us in a particular direction regarding selection.

“There has been a weekend off prior to England, there’s a weekend off prior to Italy. These are massive games, but there is breathing space to get players freshened up.”

Paddy Jackson, the Ulster fly-half, and one of the loose forwards Jordi Murphy, of Leinster, or Tommy O’Donnell, of Munster, would be likely to start if Sexton and O’Mahony were rested.

Meanwhile France have dropped Louis Picamoles, their influential No8, for the trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield a week on Saturday for showing disrespect to referee Alain Rolland during their defeat by Wales. The back-row forward appeared to mock Rolland by applauding after the referee sent him to the sin-bin and he also gave a thumbs-up gesture as he left the pitch during the 27-6 defeat in Cardiff on Friday.

“Certain attitudes have no place whatsoever in our sport,” Philippe Saint-André, the France coach, said.